Plumeria: How To Grow and Care with Success

When to Plant Plumeria?

Plumeria is a tropical plant that is sensitive to frost and freezing temperatures. It is best to plant plumeria during the warm months of the year when temperatures consistently stay above 50°F (10°C). In tropical regions, plumeria can be planted year-round, while in colder climates, it is recommended to plant in late spring or early summer when the soil has warmed up.

Where to Plant Plumeria?

Temperatures

• Plumeria perform well in USDA Zones 10-12. They do not tolerate cold temperatures. A short cold snap as low as 40°F or 4°C is the limit for these plants. Any parts of the plant exposed to freezing temperatures will die. Not sure about your growing zone? Check here.
• Ideally, Plumeria should be located where the temperature remains between 65-80°F (18-27°C) most of the time.
• If temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C), the plant will drop its leaves and go dormant.

Light

• They are easily grown in full sun. They need at least 6 to 8 hours of direct or nearly direct sunlight to bloom profusely.
• In hot areas, where temperatures reach 100°F (37°C) or more, provide some afternoon shade to prevent the leaves and flowers from burning.
• Indoors: they require very bright light to bloom well. A sunny western or southern exposure that has at least 4-6 hours of bright, direct light is best.

Soil and Drainage

• Plumeria thrive in porous and well-drained yet retentive soil to meet the water needs of the plant.
• A good soil should allow water to soak the rootball quickly. While retaining plenty of moisture for a number of days, it must allow excess water to drain within a few minutes. To make sure your soil will drain properly, mix it with some perlite or sand.

Placement

• Plumeria add an exotic touch to foundation plantings and shrub borders. They make terrific accent or specimen plants and can be grown in containers, bringing color to patios and decks.

How to Plant Plumeria?

• Plant your Plumeria at least 4 ft. (120 cm) from the house or any structure. This will prevent your Plumeria to be exposed to heat radiating off a brick or concrete wall.
• If planted too close to a structure, your Plumeria will also tend to lean out at a dangerous angle because all growth is on one side.
• Ensure adequate space outside: if planting more than one Plumeria, space them 10 to 20 ft. apart (3-6 m) so that their roots have adequate room to grow.
• Set your Plumeria in the planting hole so that the stem is just at the soil surface. If necessary, add some backfill soil to the bottom of the hole to achieve proper planting height.
• Water well around the plant after planting.
• Spread decomposed mulch around the plant to add nutrients and organic matter, to retain moisture in and weeds out. This will also provide winter protection for the roots.

Plumeria Care

Water and Moisture

• A plumeria should be watered frequently, at least once a week, when it is in bloom.
• Before watering your Plumeria, check the top soil for moisture. If dry, then water the plant.
• Without enough water, Plumeria tend to go into dormancy or even abort flower stalks.
• With too much water, Plumeria roots may rot, which could lead to the plant’s death.
• The visible symptom of too much or not enough water is droopy leaves.
• Stop watering your Plumeria when its leaves begin to drop and do not water it when it is dormant or first rooting.

Fertilizer

• Plumeria are heavy feeders and will benefit from fertilization. 
• They need high levels of phosphorous as it promotes the best blooms.
• They need some potassium to produce a strong and healthy plant.
• They need low levels of nitrogen. Too much nitrogen will encourage vegetative growth at the expense of flowers.
• These foods should be fed to Plumeria plants according to label directions every other week or at least once a month during the active growing season (April through August).
• Plumeria’s diet should also include iron, magnesium, manganese, copper, boron, molybdenum, calcium, and sulfur. Magnesium is particularly important and should be provided by adding 1 teaspoon of Epsom salt (MgSO4·7H2O) per gallon of water at either feeding time or watering time.
• Do not fertilize during the dormant season in the winter months.

Pruning

• Plumeria do not usually require pruning. If necessary, prune back to a branch junction or fork in early spring before deciduous Plumeria types leaf out.
• Cut the branches back by 1/3.
• Pruning should, however, be kept to a minimum as wounds can be prone to rotting.
• Mature Plumeria plants do not respond well to renovation.

Propagating

• Plumeria are usually propagated by cutting and grafting. You may also start new plants by seed, but the flower color of the new plant may be different from the parent plant.
• Take 12-18 in. cuttings (30-45 cm) of leafless stem tips in the spring and early summer. Use a sterile, sharp cutting tool to cut the stem. Cut at an oblique angle to the limb being cut.
• Remove all the leaves and set the cutting aside in a warm and dry location for a minimum of 3-7 days.
• Dip the cut end in rooting compound if desired. Plant it shallowly in sand or perlite (potting soil, etc.). Excellent drainage is essential.
• Lightly water the soil around the freshly planted cutting.
• Place the newly planted cutting in strong or full sunlight. Bottom heat helps promote root formation and growth.
• Do not add additional water to the soil or the cutting will rot (unless the soil has completely dried out).
• Watch for new leaf growth (usually 6-8 weeks).
• Water lightly until the new leaves are mature, then water thoroughly when the top soil is dry.
• Once the seedling is at least 3 in. tall (7 cm), you can transplant it into a larger pot.
• It will take one to three years for cuttings to bloom and three or more years for plants to grow from seed.

Pest and Diseases

Plumeria have no serious pest or disease issues. Keep an eye out for:

Longhorn borer: it lives inside the stems and eats the plant from inside. If you notice small holes with black ooze dripping out, cut the limb from the plant and destroy it completely.

Spider mites: small sucking spider-like insects causing pale, mottled, and yellowish leaves. Carefully remove infected leaves. Spray all existing leaves clean with a water hose / use Malathion, Orthene, or insecticidal soap.

Whiteflies: small sucking white flies on the backside of leaves causing leaf yellowing and molting. Carefully remove infected leaves. Spray all affected areas with a water hose / use Malathion, Orthene, or insecticidal soap.

Thrips: small insects causing flowers not to open or buds to facll off. Use Malathion, Orthene, or insecticidal soap.

Scale: hard, round, shell-like insects causing small spots on stalks, leaves, and tips. Dab with rubbing alcohol-drenched Q-tip / systematic insecticide.

Mealy bugs: insects covered with white powdery wax causing the leaves to grow warped and misshaped. Dab with rubbing alcohol-drenched Q-tip / systematic insecticide.

Rust: reddish pustules beneath the leaves. Carefully remove infected leaves. Use fungicide with bayleton, benomyl, oxycarboxin, and broad-spectrum fungicide.

Powdery mildew: white mold on leaves. Increase air circulation. Use broad-spectrum fungicide.

Black sooty mold: black mold on leaves. Rid plants of pests. Use broad-spectrum fungicide.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do plumerias need full sun?

Yes, plumerias require full sun to thrive and produce flowers. They need at least six hours of direct sunlight per day, but preferably more. Plumerias grown in areas with less sunlight may still survive but may not bloom as much or produce as vibrant flowers.

What does plumeria smell like?

Plumeria flowers have a sweet and heady fragrance that is often described as floral or tropical. Some people describe the scent as a combination of jasmine, citrus, and gardenia, while others associate it with coconut or vanilla. The fragrance is most intense during the early evening and nighttime hours.

Do plumerias bloom all year?

Plumerias typically have a blooming season during the warmer months, from late spring to early fall. They usually go dormant during the winter months and stop blooming. However, the blooming period can vary depending on the specific cultivar and growing conditions.

Click here to compare all Plumeria varieties